I come from a family of five. Trying to ski in Aspen isn?t cheap. We would pile in the van and drive to the mountain. My mom had a little stove and she would cook in the van. That was the best time.
I had the support of sponsors, but that just pays for travel and gear. My parents put $50,000 out on the house. The biggest thing I did for them was pay the money back. And when I was 16, I bought a house that we all moved into.
This sport is very mental. I think each trick through. Confidence keeps you going.If you think you will fall, you’ll fall.
I’ve been knocked out a couple times. I had a bad accident when I was 11 where I fractured my skull, hand and foot. I had black eyes.
I lost interest after that. It was no fun. I wasn’t learning any tricks. I’d been out of it for awhile waiting for the break to heal. I was over it. I told my mom how I felt and she said, “I paid for this session you’re going.” I went to the ramp, learned a new trick, and I was hooked. People ask where it (1) is, like I’m supposed to wear it out all the time. I had a little drawer made in my closet for it. It’s purple velvet.
I let my friend wear it out. We went to a dance party in L.A. and random people would ask if they could wear it. My friend went up to these rappers who all had chains and said, “You’ve got nothing on this.” They laughed and bought us dinner.
People were looking at Britney Spears and telling me I should shave my head too. I’m like, “No.” They tell me to change my image, but I like it. Whatever they tell me, I’ll do the opposite. I’m going to grow my hair even longer, but it might get in the way.
People see me doing ads, but the list of stuff I turn down is three times as long. They’ll say, “How about a Shaun White bobblehead?” or roller coasters, or “Have your own ketchup.”
They (2) weren’t too stoked with me in the beginning–me being on their turf. New people get worked because it’s such a tight group of guys. But I’ve skated so long, I have respect from that.
The first day back, I’ll be terrible (3). The little punks at the park will laugh at me and tell me, “Go back to snowboarding.” After a week back in the game, my mind switches.
A key to my success is being able to take my mind off each sport for awhile. I get excited to be back in the snow. It re-energizes me. Some people will take things for granted if they do it everyday.
I wouldn’t call it jealousy. It’s just everyone being competitive. Kids that are now 20, 19, they look at me and say, “He has this and that. I want that.” We’re all chasing the same dream. Maybe I was just a little more determined.
– – –
1-White’s 2006 gold medal in the men’s half-pipe.
2-Professional skateboarders.
3-Switching from snowboarding to skateboarding.
![At a recent wedding reception in Chicago, guests gathered to toast the newlyweds at the bar. Glasses were lined up in front of them, but no alcohol was poured. Instead, marijuana vapor was pumped into the upside-down glasses, which were then lifted and inhaled in unison. “A lot of people were surprised,” bride Aja Heinlein said. “They didn’t even know that was something they could do.” In the new world of cannabis, consumption at private events like weddings, holiday parties and corporate events is becoming more common. The state law that legalized recreational use of marijuana for adults 21 and […]](https://www.chicagotribune.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/ctc-L-Illinois-marijuana-wedding15_187593870.jpg?w=525 "At a recent wedding reception in Chicago, guests gathered to toast the newlyweds at the bar. Glasses were lined up in front of them, but no alcohol was poured. Instead, marijuana vapor was pumped into the upside-down glasses, which were then lifted and inhaled in unison. “A lot of people were surprised,” bride Aja Heinlein said. “They didn’t even know that was something they could do.” In the new world of cannabis, consumption at private events like weddings, holiday parties and corporate events is becoming more common. The state law that legalized recreational use of marijuana for adults 21 and […]")
